Merry Christmas

What did you do on Christmas?

We were up by 5:45 and home from the beach by 10:30.

Merry Christmas y'all!!!

Arohanui. Much love to you all xoxoxoxo

I know I know I know

Same old story here . . . Jenny promises to blog, Jenny doesn't blog, Jenny gets threats and hate mail from friends because she isn't blogging. So sorry. In my defence, I haven't had great internet connections for the last 3 weeks. But, no need to worry. We are now in Australia, Brisbane to be exact, with fast Internet. Sooooo, let's start the circle again. . . Jenny promises to blog. . . OFTEN! I will have to do some catching up over the next few days. But, here is a quick update to satisfy the angry. . .

New Zealand was beautiful. The family in New Zealand is beautiful. It was wonderful, and very hard to say goodbye.

We got to hear lots and lots of stories. Oh how I wish now that we would have recorded all the stories. All we needed to do was walk in the door, push record, and have a million tapes to record every single word.

Grandad is a professional hair dresser. World competitions and everything. So, of course he had to cut the boys hair. He tried to have me be his apprentice and teach me how to do it. But alas, I think we decided I am hopeless at it.

We went to Raglan Beach. It's a black sand beach. It's beautiful, but terribly hot on the toes. The kids had a great time having running races on the beach.

The temple in Hamilton has Christmas lights. We were lucky enough to be there when they flipped the switch on. It helped it feel like Christmas.

In Australia and New Zealand each city has a Carols by Candlelight. It's very fun, and pretty to see all the candles in the park lit at the end of the program.

Nathan has always talked about carols by candlelight, so it was fun to finally see, and be a part of it.

We went swimming at a beautiful lake in Rotorua. The water was crystal clear. I got eaten alive by sand flies.


If you look in the background of the picture, you can see a flat top mountain. It's actually a volcano. The top of the mountain (Taraweria) blew off when it erupted in 1886, and buried an entire village. (there, a bit of New Zealand history)

We had a delicious fajita night. And taught everyone how to make mexican food. Crazy to be in a country that doesn't have a Taco Bell. Dwayne was super excited for the fiesta and dressed up just for the occasion.

And last but not least, of course we went to a Hangi (the equivalent of a Hawain luau) The kids loved it, and were amazed. Especially Elijah. He didn't' move a muscle during the performances. Marlee loved the hot chocolate bar. She had waayyyy too much to drink, and started feeling sick and threw up in the bushes right after this picture was taken. She was perfectly fine after that. Fun fun fun.

Kia Ora!

WE. ARE. HERE!!!! Sorry it has taken so long to finally post. We’ve been busy and had some internet difficulties. Here is a report of our first days here (a bit lengthy-sorry):

PICTURES WILL BE COMING! (I CAN'T STAY CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET LONG ENOUGH TO UPLOAD THEM. PROMISE TO KEEP WORKING ON IT!!)

The flights went well. The boys were so excited on our first flight to LA they could hardly stand it.

Marlee was a bit nervous, but after we took off, she was in love with flying. Elijah did well too, until it was time to land, and his ears started to bother him. The LAX airport is always an interesting place. I love people watching in the airport. We got through our second airport security fine, and only had an hour till we boarded our next flight. We boarded our Qantas flight anxious and ready to sleep (it was about 11:30 pm by then). Unfortunately there was a medical emergency with one of the passenger’s right before take off. So that delayed us a full hour!! They had to take ALL of the luggage off the plane to find the one suitcase that had the medicine this person needed. AHHHHH!!! Like 13 hours on the plane wasn’t long enough, they had to add an extra hour!!?? Anywho. Our flight had at least 50 kids under the age of 12 on it, so it was nice to not feel “alone” in our trek. And surprisingly it was a quite flight.

Our kids did really well. They all slept at least 5 hours, so that helped. We had a patch of turbulence that made me a bit nervous, but I survived. Vance liked the Qantas flight better than the Delta flight, because it had better food. We were happy to find all 10 pieces of our luggage made it to New Zealand safe and sound. And surprisingly, there were other families with much more luggage. Marlee was excited when we went through customs in New Zealand. She turned to me and said, “Mom, they are talking Maori, and I can understand it!!!” I then explained to her that the customs inspector was just speaking with an accent, and that it was English, not Maori. J After meeting family, and trying out how to fit all of our luggage in one van, and the rest of us in another van (had the same problem in Salt Lake too) we went to see Nathan’s Nanna and Grandad in Hamilton. This picture made me realize that all the stress and sleepless nights getting ready for this trip was all worth it. This is why we came. . .

Of course the kids had a blast riding on the golf cart with Grandad. (I think Grandad enjoyed it too) After that Nanna read them “The Cat in the Hat”.

It was beautiful seeing them with their Great Grandparents, and their cousins. I was amazed that there wasn’t any shyness with all the new Aunties, cousins, and Grandparents. Everyone was holding hands and enjoying each other straight away.

We spent the next day just relaxing. It rained the first few days we were here, so we didn’t make it to the beach straight away. But we were able to get a few walks in around The Mount, and see a cruise liner come to port (just across the street from where we are staying). We’ve had family Bar BQ’s, eaten Fish and Chips, and meat pies, attended a Christmas fireside, celebrated Marlee and Marshall’s birthday (they both turned 7 this last week), checked out the mall, taught them how to make “American Bar BQ chicken” aka chicken with bar bq sauce - grilled, and had a stomach bug. Yup, that’s right throw up. It seems to be a small 24 hour bug. Elijah started, then Nathan, then Van, then Cherie and Nathan’s mum Maerea. I’m sure the rest of us will get it sooner or later. But, like I said it’s not a bad one, just a bummer when we all want to be out doing something. Like this. . .

Love to you all. Miss you all, but are glad that we are here. We heard that it’s FREEZING in Utah today, so for all you Utahan’s out there if I walk out my door and walk directly across the street this is what I see . . .

head butt

A FEW WEEKS AGO:

I left the kids in the car while I ran in to pay for gas.
(Don't judge me-you've all done it before)
When I came back out I asked the boys if my phone rang.

VAN: No mom, it didn't ring.

ME: Oh, I guess no one loves me.

VAN: No mom, I love you, but no one called you. Got that?

TONIGHT:
(walking towards me, tears in her eyes, and holding the side of her head)
MARLEE: Mom, Van just punched me in the head.
(Dramatic pause)
With his EYE!
(Tears and sobbing begin!!)

NATHAN: That's called a head-butt.

Sunday Fireside

Nathan participated in a Sunday evening fireside last yesterday. It was put on by The Latter Day Ambassadors choir. It was a beautiful meeting full of music and messages on drawing closer to Christ. For their final number, a trio sang a song about the Savior, and while doing this Nathan walked up on the stand and started drawing on a blank canvas. It still gives me goosebumps to think about it. It was breathtaking watching Nathan draw, he has an amazing talent!! I wish so much that you all could have been there, the feeling is indescribable. Everyone there was touched deeply.

Many thanks to my sister, Sarah, who took these pictures.
I forgot my camera in the rush to get everyone out the door.

Van is blurry in this photo, but I wanted to give you and idea of how large the canvas was.

14 days and counting

Two weeks from now we will

be heading here . . .


AOTEAROA = land of the long white cloud
Maori for "NEW ZEALAND"


That's right folks!!
The Ormsby's are heading back for a long holiday.
First here (New Zealand) . . .

and then Christmas here . . .

Please stay tuned for more information!

10 Little Monkeys

How does the song go? . . .

4 Little monkeys jumping on the bed. . .

one fell off and broke his "LEG"!!????

Not really.
After a 4 hour trip to the ER Sunday night, and 10 x-rays, they couldn't find a break. He was limping pretty bad though, so they decided to put a temporary splint on until we could see a specialist. He didn't like it too much, it slowed him wwaaaayyyyy down (for about 3 hours). Then he figured out how to swing his leg out to walk. As long as he didn't try to walk on the kitchen floor (too slippery), he was okay. Today we saw the Orthopedist and after MORE x-rays, they still couldn't find a break. So, he's been given a clear bill. WHEW! So, now he's been running like crazy all night!!
But I don't mind, how can I resist this face . . .

Halloween Review

Halloween Preview Part 1

We have been practicing for Halloween for weeks now . . .

Ormsby Halloween Preview from Nathan Ormsby on Vimeo.

A DECADE!!

Ten years ago (plus a few days) I married my best friend. . .

It was a beautiful day. . .

We celebrated a few weekends ago in Park City, just the two of us. . .

But felt that the best way to celebrate the actual day was with our little peeps. . .

We went to lunch, caught a movie (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - very fun!!), and then danced in the kitchen while the kiddies ate dinner and giggled. It was a magical and perfect day.

P.S. I love you.

WARNING!!

Consider yourself warned!!

We will be going private with our blog for awhile.

So, you have 2 weeks to tell me if you want to be on "the list".
(I will need your email address)

I know I haven't done much blogging lately, but that really is about to change.

Besides, you don't want to miss out on our adventures for the next few months . . .

Adventure

2 weeks ago we set out on a little "adventure"

my heart and soul were aching to see the Tetons again.



5.5 hours and 2 states later we found them, and a HUGE hail storm



we spent the night in Jackson Hole ("where cowboys live", if you ask the boys)



saw a bunch of these guys (and gals), up close and personal





and spent some time on the bank of the Snake River.



It was a fun, spontaneous, 2 day adventure. And the kids did great, and enjoyed it too!


Noah in the wild!!

Need a Smile??

We love watching this music video!! The kids think it's very fun.

Watch Video

P.S. I promise to post pictures tonight after everyone has gone to sleep . . .

Summer Recap

I haven't posted much about our summer happenings. It's been a bit overwhelming for me. I just don't know where to start!!?! So, since summer is officially over in less than one week now (school will be starting), I'm going to do a post each night to highlight a bit of our summer for you. (Exciting - NO?!!?)

So in no particular order, here's our summer of 2009:

We were able to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house.

The kids were great through it all, and really enjoyed it. Though you can't really tell from this picture.

Marlee lost a million (not really!) teeth within a few weeks of each other. Just look at those holes in her mouth!! The tooth fairy almost couldn't keep up with the losses.

Nathan had a birthday. It was low key, really low key, this year. I still feel bad about that. But isn't the tower of Anzac Cookies (Biscuits) impressive?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words . . .

No wonder I'm tired!!

Weber County Fair

Weber County Fair 2009 from Nathan Ormsby on Vimeo.

Life is a Miracle

Life is a Miracle from Nathan Ormsby on Vimeo.

Rua

Exactly One Year Ago

I thought it would be fun to take a peek in our digital photo album and see if there were any photos taken July 16, 2008. This is what I found . . .

Not alot has changed in a year. Noah CRIED almost 3 hours straight this morning. AHHHH! In his defense : while I was doing the dishes this morning he thought he'd show me how he could hop on one foot. He did do very well, until Marlee had to try and show him up. Instead she hopped into him, he fell over, and scratched his wrist on the dishwasher. From the way he reacted to the scratch, you would have thought he had cut his arm off. Hence, the crying for 3 hours straight.
Anyways, he looked very much the same as he did in this picture a year ago. And I saw Vance repeatedly giving him the same look, like, "Really? You're going to start crying again?"

If I remember right, Vance got the bump on his head/scratches on his nose because we went for a walk. While on that walk a dog, a lap dog, probably a Shih Tzu , CHARGED (should really read: barked at him from about 50 feet away), which caused Van to FREAK OUT, scream and attempt to run away. While running away, he tripped on the sidewalk and fell. (Or did he trip over Noah or Marlee - who were also FREAKING OUT? I'm not sure but Nathan's not here to correct my memory) Meanwhile the owner of the said dog sat on his porch and laughed hysterically. Not nice.



But in the end, even with all the crying and freaking out last year and today, and everyday inbetween, I LOVE THEM TO PIECES! And I never get tired of seeing my kids happy (and hugging)

Run Sisters Run!!

Here we go again. I think I've created a MONSTER!! Actually, Nathan started all of this last year when he did his Triathlon. Then we signed up for the 1/2 marathon, and then I got Sarah into it, then Sarah got her hubby to run a 5K last week, and now Marlee's talking about wanting to maybe run a Kids K this fall. WOW!! You'd think with all this running I'd be tiny and skinny by now. I'm not. But, it is slowly coming off. But the best part is the feeling of accomplishment. It's been a great self esteem booster. I really am enjoying it!! Who woulda thought!? Me, the girl who hid when it was time for the track team to do their 1 MILE run!! But that's another story for another day (along with the story about when I had to actually run a race at a track meet, and was DEAD last, or when I was practicing throwing the disc and hit the coach. Geez, why did they ever let me on the track team in Jr. High?) Anyways . . .

Sarah and I ran a 10K (6.2 miles) this morning in Farmington. It had horrible hills at the beginning (UP hill), a beautiful trail along the side of bison and deer (the animals at Lagoon), lots of cars (they didn't close the roads for the race), and a fantastic hill to run down at the very end. It was a lot of fun. My time was good, but I'm looking forward to beating that time in September when I run another 10K.

Marlee had a BLAST taking pictures of the boys while they were waiting for us at the finish line.

The following pictures are all taken by Miss Marlee . . .

Noah making a face. He loves making people laugh.

Van the Man. (notice Noah hiding behind him)

The Boys

Elijah

Marlee making a face at Elijah to make him smile.
(this one was not taken by Miss Marlee, obviously)

and - Elijah again.